Card Games for Three Players

Games for Three Players

This is a list of traditional card and tile games that are designed for or work well with three players. Each game is listed just once - for alternative names see the general alphabetical index. For each game the configuration of players and the type and number of cards or tiles is listed. There is an explanation of the symbols below the table.

Explanation of symbols

Configuration

Individual. There are no teams. All players play for themselves and against the others.

Partnership. The players are divided into fixed teams, one against two. This is rare.

Alliance. On each deal, one player plays alone against the other two, who form a temporary team (alliance). The lone player may be chosen by bidding or by who holds a particular card, or the players may simply take turns to play alone.

Sitting Out. A number in brackets [1] indicates players who do not take a full part in the game, but may have minor duties such as dealing the cards, fetching the beer or making the tea. Players generally take turns to sit out while the other two play.

Banker. One player is the banker, and the other players play against the banker, rather than against each other. Many casino games have this format, with a representative of the house playing as the banker. In home games, the role of banker usually passes from player to player, so that everyone has an opportunity to be the bank.

Design

Quantity

This column gives the number of cards in the deck, indicates where multiple decks are used, and the number of jokers. Where the game can be played with various sizes or numbers of decks, perhaps depending on the number of players, the possibilities are listed, separated by commas. For example, "2x32" means a double 32-card deck: 64 cards in all with two copies of each card. "52+2J" means a 52-card deck with two jokers. "32, 36" means the game can be played with 32 or 36 cards. "2x52+2J, 3x52+3J" means that the game can be played with two 52-card decks plus two jokers (106 cards) or three 52-card decks plus three 52-card decks plus three jokers (159 cards).

Possible for Three Players

Here is a list of other traditional card and tile games that can be played by three players. These are games that although possible for three, are not particularly recommended, since they work better with some other number of players.